I've sent a message too. There is chip timing so that you get an acual line to line time, split times and to discourage cheating but for the purposes of cutting off the race it's gun to gun, otherwise people would start whenever they wanted and it would finish at god knows what time. It's a tough one if you start at the back and take 10 mins to get to the line, effectively you could run the race in under 12 hours and come away with nothing.
My Comrades entry is still in the shopping cart but every time I try to go and pay I get a message saying the transaction has already been processed! But I'm not in - as I have a payment delcined e-mail...
Looks like no international runners (who are paying in USD) are able to enter. Assume this is a relatively quick bug fix so hopefully will be sorted in a matter of hours.
Amazing they didnt test this properly - its pretty basic stuff one would have thought.
I've also emailed the Comrades people - not expecting a reply - but more to "register" that I tried to enter jutst in case.
I think I will do the same. I just tried to pay again without luck, however on checking my e-mail I find I've been offered viagra on promo...which was nice.
I've e-mailed Comrades info stating the problem is a general one. After entry closing unexpectedly early last year this is more than a little irritating. I wonder if when they sort it payment will just be taken or if we'll have to do the entry all over again. I thought it all seemed too simple. I don't think I'll book my hotel just yet.
Fizzio - with regards the medical certificate i was given one by 2.09 events which simply had a number of questions that needed to be filled in by your doctor. But since i was a member of a running club which had england athletics affiliation i emailed them (venice that is) with my details and they have said that these are ok so don't need cetificate. If you are a member of a club i would do the same. And good luck with emailing the organisers over the bridge / route. Hope you get a very positive response.
I was just about to go on and register for comrades but reading all these posts think i will leave it a few hours. It can't be long before they sort out such a major problem. And also the fact that their inbox will be getting very full very quickly might give them a hint that something isn't quite right.
Got a reply from Mbali - "Unfortunately we seem to be experiencing technical difficulties with the exchanges rate for our international online entries. May we kindly request that you bear with us while we resolve the problem and try submitting your entry later today." So exactly the same response that Cramen got.
Just tried again - US$ is still an illegal currency...
Looking back on my e-mails we had EXACTLY the same problem last year! Eventually managed to enter at 1130pm on 2 September.... So if they manage to fix it before 1130pm tomorrow night they will have improved!
I am in South Africa and managed to enter without any problems.
The vibe in South Africa is nothing compared to last year and I am pretty sure they won't get 18 000 entries in a hurry, so I think you guys can relax for the moment.
With regards the race chips, I had to buy one for the two oceans race. According to the letter that came with it i can use for any race in South Africa. So if we ever get to register for Comrades i will use that one there and at least save myself a few pennies...
also checked bank just in case i'd lost 192 x 3 but nothing's moved,phew! guess we just keep trying...so frustrating..i do hope it dfoesnt fill before we all get in!
Fizz. Re the chip, it depends really. It's probably only the major marathons that charge extra for the chip that give you the option of using your own chip. I bought one for comrades this year but didn't get in but I was able to use it for Amsterdam. I think I paid about £21 so you'd need to use it 4 or 5 times to make it worth while. Some races like London have switched provider so for the time beingi it's probably best to use a Comrades supplied chip ( which you'll have to pay extra for) and see what happens else where.
nope. not going to get a chance until about 1pm tomorrow either as at work til 1am and back in for 0830 so sleep comes before trying to enter comrades!
From the comment of Sportaloo earlier and last years experience it looks like there will be some time before the 18000 entries sellout. Think we have enough time for them to sort it out.
Last year the 15,000 veteran places took about 3 months to sell out, it was only the 5,000 newbie places that sold out quickly. But that was in shadow of the World Cup. Think every year apart from 2000 had far less entries.
Glad to have found this forum, I'm not in the running for 2011 but would love to run again - I did Comrades six times in the 80s...... good to know it's still the race of races (though don't belittle Two Oceans!).
Hello to any Kudus or Celtic Harriers lurking out there!
As for me, I am running the Dinosaur Half Marathon in a couple of weeks (in Alberta, Canada) and then the Wales Marathon - you know where that is!
Comments
If the race is gun to close at 12.00 and there is no chip timing - why do you need to buy one?
If I dont stop trying to get in , Im going to be late for work . Any luck yet?
Frustrating @*&%$!
Off to work now - will have to try later...
Looks like no international runners (who are paying in USD) are able to enter. Assume this is a relatively quick bug fix so hopefully will be sorted in a matter of hours.
Amazing they didnt test this properly - its pretty basic stuff one would have thought.
I've also emailed the Comrades people - not expecting a reply - but more to "register" that I tried to enter jutst in case.
Fizzio - with regards the medical certificate i was given one by 2.09 events which simply had a number of questions that needed to be filled in by your doctor. But since i was a member of a running club which had england athletics affiliation i emailed them (venice that is) with my details and they have said that these are ok so don't need cetificate. If you are a member of a club i would do the same. And good luck with emailing the organisers over the bridge / route. Hope you get a very positive response.
I was just about to go on and register for comrades but reading all these posts think i will leave it a few hours. It can't be long before they sort out such a major problem. And also the fact that their inbox will be getting very full very quickly might give them a hint that something isn't quite right.
Hi all! I just called them and they said, yes there are problems! Try again this afternoon...
Good luck all!
Got a reply from Mbali - "Unfortunately we seem to be experiencing technical difficulties with the exchanges rate for our international online entries. May we kindly request that you bear with us while we resolve the problem and try submitting your entry later today." So exactly the same response that Cramen got.
Just tried again - US$ is still an illegal currency...
Looking back on my e-mails we had EXACTLY the same problem last year! Eventually managed to enter at 1130pm on 2 September.... So if they manage to fix it before 1130pm tomorrow night they will have improved!
The vibe in South Africa is nothing compared to last year and I am pretty sure they won't get 18 000 entries in a hurry, so I think you guys can relax for the moment.
As SD said, 'Welcome to Africa'
great explanation of the chip. Thanks.
Would it be a good idea to have my own chip for races or am I just as well to just get them in race packs as I go?
NO joy on entry yet but as we are all still in the same boat, as least we will all be in , or none of us
Phew... I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one having this problem!
With regards the race chips, I had to buy one for the two oceans race. According to the letter that came with it i can use for any race in South Africa. So if we ever get to register for Comrades i will use that one there and at least save myself a few pennies...
I tried again too - twice - still illegal
arrgghhh
also checked bank just in case i'd lost 192 x 3 but nothing's moved,phew! guess we just keep trying...so frustrating..i do hope it dfoesnt fill before we all get in!
Just tried again. No joy.
Fizz. Re the chip, it depends really. It's probably only the major marathons that charge extra for the chip that give you the option of using your own chip. I bought one for comrades this year but didn't get in but I was able to use it for Amsterdam. I think I paid about £21 so you'd need to use it 4 or 5 times to make it worth while. Some races like London have switched provider so for the time beingi it's probably best to use a Comrades supplied chip ( which you'll have to pay extra for) and see what happens else where.
Thanks JB
.Anyone in yet? Not getting up at 6am tomorrow as well.
From the comment of Sportaloo earlier and last years experience it looks like there will be some time before the 18000 entries sellout. Think we have enough time for them to sort it out.
Last year the 15,000 veteran places took about 3 months to sell out, it was only the 5,000 newbie places that sold out quickly. But that was in shadow of the World Cup. Think every year apart from 2000 had far less entries.
Glad to have found this forum, I'm not in the running for 2011 but would love to run again - I did Comrades six times in the 80s...... good to know it's still the race of races (though don't belittle Two Oceans!).
Hello to any Kudus or Celtic Harriers lurking out there!
As for me, I am running the Dinosaur Half Marathon in a couple of weeks (in Alberta, Canada) and then the Wales Marathon - you know where that is!
Don't panic guys they normally only get about 15,000 entries, its not going to sell out in a hurry.
SD: Good to see your going back for number 12! No Comrades for me next year, time to tick off a IM.
Tried again just now... still declining payment